First Churchwarden

[Joe T]

Pipemakers! I made my first Churchwarden! Crappy photo from a phone camera, but I'm pleased and wanted to share. I'll try and get some proper photos for critique when I have time.

[JMG]

Did you drill the stem yourself? And what material is the stem?

[Joe T]

Yeah, made the stem out of acrylic (imitation briar colors). Drilled it on my lathe. It was a real trick to drill a 12.5 inch stem on a 12 inch lathe.

Well... it turned out to be a 11.5 inches... I broke the end when finishing the drilling process.

[Sasquatch]

All kinds of fun, huh?

Stem aside, and nice job to manage that, your shaping would be more "pro" if the back line of the bowl lined up from above the shank to below. As it is, the bottom indicates a real pick-axe sort of thing that isn't matched by the top.

[Joe T]

All kinds of fun, huh?

Stem aside, and nice job to manage that, your shaping would be more "pro" if the back line of the bowl lined up from above the shank to below. As it is, the bottom indicates a real pick-axe sort of thing that isn't matched by the top.

Hmm... I see what you mean. I was trying to make this shape of pipe with a 'pick' coming out of the bottom. :

[Sasquatch]

Sure, and it's totally do-able ... there's far more ways to get a pipe shape kinda-sorta than to nail it, of course. And that's why no one cuts a perfect anything first try. You cut it, you learn, you see more, you cut another, you learn, you see more...

[baiguai]

Great lookin 'warden! Would be a great shop pipe. Another try or two to work out the lines and it'll be pwn!

[socrates]

Nice looking! How does it smoke?

[Joe T]

Nice looking! How does it smoke?

Really well! Nice and cool, smoke rings just hang in the air. I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to a normal length pipe for an evening smoke!

[socrates]

Nice looking! How does it smoke?

Really well! Nice and cool, smoke rings just hang in the air. I'm not sure if I'll ever go back to a normal length pipe for an evening smoke!

Awesome!

[Mark B.]

Looks pretty good. In addition to what's already been said, I think the stem could use a bit more bend. Maybe 12-15° in a gently decreasing radius toward the button. When I'm smoking a pipe, I like the end of the stem at the button to be parallel, or nearly so, to the top of the bowl.

It's easier for me to post a picture than try to explain.



I also think it would look better without the tooth on the bottom:

[Joe T]

Hmm... I see your point. I put the tooth on there to make the stummel different from another pipe I made.

Now I'm curious about the curve on the stem. I like it with a slight curve like it has, but I have odd taste in some things. Where do the rest of you stand on this? ( All of you! )

[Joe Hinkle Pipes]

I think this is a case where subtle doesnt work. The stummel has a pretty big bend, and the stem needs one too. You want to kind of match the curve on the bottom of the bowl with the stem.

[Joe T]

Ahh, I see... I'll have to play around with that. Thanks for the rule of thumb.

[JMG]

For pipes that will be clenched it certainly makes it better for the stem to run parallel to the rim. I guess there won't be much clenching with a c'warden, but I still agree with Mark's sketch about the bend. BTW, kudos on the drilling that sucker!